Pakistan released eight members of the Afghan Taliban from prison on Monday, including the former justice minister under the Taliban, in a bid to boost the peace process in neighboring Afghanistan, the government said.

Pakistan is seen as a linchpin in efforts to bring about peace in Afghanistan as foreign troops plan to depart the country in 2014. Kabul has been pressing its neighbor to release more prisoners who they hope would bring the Taliban to the negotiating table before the U.S. troops go home.

The Pakistanis appear to have an interest in promoting peace across the border, as a resumption of the civil war there could bring harsh consequences on its side as well.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said eight detainees were released, including Nooruddin Turabi, the former justice minister.

Mohammad Azeem, a former guard of Taliban leader Mullah Omar, was also among those let go, according to a Taliban official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

It was not clear what role the eight might play in bringing Taliban leaders to the negotiating table or what links they have to the group's current leadership.

Pakistan has long-standing ties to the Taliban, and its support is key to any future reconciliation. Last month, Pakistan released 18 prisoners at the request of the Afghan High Peace Council.

Both developments were seen as signs that Pakistan, long accused of backing militants, was supporting a new push to bring peace to a country with which it shares a long border and tumultuous history. The Afghan and U.S. governments accuse Islamabad of backing insurgents - an allegation Pakistan denies - and say many militant leaders are hiding in the country.

The Afghan peace process has made little headway since it began several years ago, hobbled by distrust among the major players, including the United States.

Part of the reason Pakistan is seen to be actively helping the process is that government and military officials are worried that if American troops leave without a plan in place, Afghanistan could deteriorate into vicious infighting. That scenario could cause a flood of Afghan refugees across the border and increase fighting in Pakistan's tribal areas.